Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai: ‘Naxals referred to Congress govt as our govt … People have lost faith in them’

Almost four months into his tenure and just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has hit the campaign trail in the state. In an interview with The Indian Express, he exudes confidence that the BJP will keep up its good performance in the Lok Sabha elections — the party won 10 of the 11 parliamentary seats in 2014 and bagged nine in 2019 — and speaks on wide-ranging issues such as the attacks on the Christian community, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest, and the Maoist problem.

Excerpts:

One of “Modi ki guarantees” is the promise to fill one lakh jobs transparently. Efforts towards this will begin after the Lok Sabha elections. We will focus on creating new posts and try to get investments in the industrial sector as well.

We are not against any religion but are against the trade they are doing while exploiting people’s illiteracy or through the temptation of benefits … They are forcibly converting people and I am against that. We are a secular country and a person is free to follow any religion that he or she wants … They must serve (the people) but not indulge in trade.

Let them stop these (forced) conversions and the fight will end. Let them serve the people but it is not right to tell them that we will cure you if you embrace Christianity.

In the previous Congress government, anti-Naxal operations were very weak. We heard Naxals referred to the previous government as “our government”. Our double-engine government strengthened the fight against them. Our Home Minister (Vijay Sharma) is also concerned about it. On the other hand, we have also taken a stand to ensure justice for those Naxals who want to surrender. We can have a dialogue if they (Maoists) give up arms and join the